In the context of an example, we demonstrate the conceptual advantages of this general potential outcomes framework for regression modeling by showing how it resolves fundamental shortcomings in the conventional approach to characterizing and remedying omitted variable bias.Ranunculus ternatus is a traditional Chinese medicine with an anticancer effect, but its underlying mechanism is unknown. In this study, we demonstrated by MTT assay that ethyl acetate extract (RTE) from R. ternatus exerts cytotoxic effects on human T cell lymphoma Jurkat cells. Then, to test the apoptosis induction ability of RTE to induce apoptosis, we analyzed phosphatidylserine exposure, DNA fragmentation, and caspase cleavage. RTE induced phosphatidylserine exposure and caspase-7 cleavage, but not caspase-3 cleavage. Sub-G1 cells were accumulated but DNA fragmentation was not observed. A pan-caspase inhibitor Z-Asp-CH2-DCB suppressed RTE-induced caspase cleavage and the above-described events. RTE also induced cell death in caspase-3 null human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, indicating that RTE-induced apoptotic-like cell death depends on the activation of one or more caspases, but not caspase-3. Moreover, RTE-induced cell death was not suppressed in Bcl-2 overexpressing Jurkat cells, suggesting that mitochondria were not involved in RTE-induced cell death. In conclusion, RTE-induced cell death was independent of mitochondria and dependent on caspase-7. © King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2020.During the course of survey, an incidence of 7.14-90% of apple mosaic disease (AMD) was recorded in apple orchards in Jammu and Kashmir among various commercially grown cultivars. The maximum incidence of mosaic disease was observed in cultivar Golden Delicious. In addition to mosaic, symptoms of chlorosis, necrosis and ring spots were also observed. In the present study association of Apple necrotic mosaic virus (ApNMV) was confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing of whole coat protein gene in samples tested negative for Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) in DAS-ELISA. Out of 18 samples tested in RT-PCR, ten were found positive for ApNMV. Out of ten ApNMV positive samples, amplicon of 680&nbsp;bp of samples representing five cultivars were sequenced and sequence analysis showed 89-91% sequence identity with ApNMV. The phylogenetic analysis grouped Indian isolates into two sub-clusters under one major cluster (ApNMV group). The sub-cluster-I, included ApNMV isolates from cultivars, Oregon Spur, Red Delicious and Fuji Aztec along with Chinese and Korean isolates. Sub-cluster-II included ApNMV isolates associated with Golden Delicious and Royal Delicious. The comparison of coat protein gene-based sequence identity matrix showed maximum and minimum similarity of 89-99% with ApNMV isolates from China. It also showed maximum identity with PNRSV (61.6%) and ApMV (52.8%) under subgroup 3 of genus Illarvirus. Our study indicates that the ApNMV is commonly associated with AMD in India and may&nbsp;be a major cause of the mosaic disease in apple cultivars. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the association of ApNMV with apple mosaic disease from India. © King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2020.Based on C (wild) to T (mutant) transition at amino acid position 1432&nbsp;bp of lpa1-1 gene, two dominant markers each specific to wild type (LPA1) and mutant (lpa1-1) allele were developed and validated across seven F2 populations. Joint segregation of these markers behaved in co-dominant fashion, clearly distinguishing heterozygote from two other homozygote genotypes. Full length sequence alignment between wild type (LPA2) and mutant (lpa2-1) allele revealed one transition mutation (A to G) and a co-dominant CAPS marker was developed which differentiated all three types of segregants across seven F2 populations. Across populations, segregants with lpa1-1/lpa1-1 (1.77&nbsp;mg/g) and lpa2-1/lpa2-1 (1.85&nbsp;mg/g) possessed significantly lower phytic acid compared to LPA1/LPA1 (2.58&nbsp;mg/g) and LPA2/LPA2 (2.53&nbsp;mg/g). Inorganic phosphorus was however higher in recessive homozygotes (lpa1-1/lpa1-1 0.77&nbsp;mg/g, lpa2-1/lpa2-1 0.53&nbsp;mg/g) than the dominant homozygotes (LPA1/LPA1 0.33&nbsp;mg/g, LPA2/LPA2 0.19&nbsp;mg/g). Overall, homozygous segregants of lpa1-1 and lpa2-1 showed 31% and 27% reduction of phytic acid, respectively. Analysis of phytate and inorganic phosphorous in the maize kernel in these segregating populations confirmed co-segregation of trait and markers specific to lpa1-1 and lpa2-1. This is the first report of the development of breeder-friendly gene-based markers for lpa1-1 and lpa2-1; and it holds great significance for maize biofortification. © King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2020.Telosma mosaic virus (TeMV) is an important plant virus causing considerable economic losses to passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) production worldwide, including China. In this study, the complete genome sequence (excluding the poly (A) tail) of two TeMV isolates, Fuzhou and Wuyishan, were determined to be 10,050 and 10,057 nucleotides, respectively. Sequence analysis indicated that Fuzhou and Wuyishan isolates share 78-98% nucleotide and 83-99% amino acid sequence identities with two TeMV isolates of Hanoi and GX, and a proposed new potyvirus, tentatively named PasFru. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these TeMV isolates and PasFru were clustered into a monophyletic clade with high confidences. This indicated that PasFru and the four TeMV isolates should be considered as one potyvirus species. Two recombination breakpoints were identified within the CI and NIb genes of the Fuzhou isolate, and also within the P1 gene of the Wuyishan isolate. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/n-ethylmaleimide-nem.html To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of TeMV recombinants worldwide. © 2020 Xie et al.Background and Objectives While the impact of maternal factors on birth outcomes are widely reported, the extent to which paternal involvement and varying cultural family dynamics influence birth outcomes particularly in an international context, remain understudied. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between paternal involvement and adverse birth outcomes in South Gujarat, India. Methods An in-person questionnaire was administered to adult women at delivery or during the one-month postpartum visit at New Civil Hospital, in South Gujarat, India between May and June 2016 to assess level of paternal support and attendance at prenatal appointments and household structure. Pregnancy variables including birthweight and gestational age at delivery were collected from maternal and newborn record/chart review. Chi-square and t-test were used to assess demographics, as appropriate. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between paternal involvement and pregnancy birth outcomes. Results Of the 404 infants born during the study period, 26.